McIDAS images of 1-km resolution GOES-15 0.63 Âµm visible channel data (above; click image to play animation) showed that Hurricane Emilia was beginning to exhibit as well-defined eye as it rapidly intensified over the East Pacific Ocean on 09 July 2012.

During the subsequent night-time hours, an eye signature was still evident on 4-km resolution GOES-15 1-.7 Âµm IR channel images (below; click image to play animation). Cloud top IR brightness temperatures were as cold as -82 C(violet color enhancement) at 06:00 UTC.

GOES-15 10.7 Âµm IR channel images (click image to play animation)

Emilia was in an environment of low deep-layer (850-200 hPa) wind shear (below), which was one factor that favored intensification.